The United States Trade Representative has opened a trade investigation into Nigeria and 59 other economies over failures to block imports of goods made with forced labor.
The probe, initiated on March 12, 2026, cites Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and claims that weak import rules create unfair competition for American firms.
The investigation targets goods including agriculture, textiles, and minerals, which are often linked to forced labor risks in global supply chains.
The Trade Representative stated that the investigations relate to acts, policies, and practices concerning the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
US law has banned such goods for nearly 100 years on humanitarian grounds, making the issue a longstanding trade enforcement priority.
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Global data from the International Labour Organisation shows approximately 28 million people were in forced labor as of 2021, with private sector profits from such practices reaching $63.9 billion annually.
Weak oversight in many economies allows these products to enter international markets, according to trade experts monitoring the development.
Public hearings on the investigation are scheduled to begin April 28, 2026, in Washington, DC, with written comments due by April 15 via the USTR portal.
Businesses, unions, and other stakeholders can submit evidence on how the affected economies’ practices impact exports and fair competition.
Tariffs or import curbs may follow if violations are found, potentially affecting Nigeria’s trade relationship with the United States.
Nigeria must address supply chain gaps and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to mitigate risks identified during the review process.
The review could reshape trade ties and enforcement expectations between the US and affected economies, including West Africa’s largest economy.
